New York City

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Shoppers, rev up your credit cards, because you're in the big leagues now. From high-priced designer fashion to discount chic, electronics to rare books, it's all in New York. The SoHo neighborhood is bursting at the seams with such designer outposts as Betsey Johnson, Dolce & Gabbana, Marc Jacobs, and Prada, as well as the high-tech haven Apple Store; big-name boutiques mix here with one-of-a-kind shops, high-end street peddlers, and art galleries. On SoHo’s southern fringes, those who like designer looks (but not the price tags that go along with them), traipse Canal Street, for its knock-off bags, watches, shades, and other accessories. Meanwhile, nothing exemplifies upper-crust New York quite like the fabulous Fifth Avenue strip – the most elegant drag, from 49th to 59th streets, is marked by glamorous department stores like Saks, upscale boutiques, and moderately priced chain brands like Sephora.

Shopping in New York City

ABC Carpet & Home

This incredible shopping emporium just north of Union Square boasts multiple,
loft-esque floors full of exotic jewelry, clothing, and housewares ranging from
knickknacks like ornate doorknobs to hand-carved furniture imported from India.
Naturally, high prices taccompany the high quality merchandise, but you
don’t need to drop a dime in this store – you’ll have just as
much fun drooling over the gorgeous displays and artisan designs.

888 Broadway, NY, 212-473-3000, www.abchome.com

Tags: shopping | expensive | home

Beacon’s Closet

Two words: thrift megalomania. Arguably the biggest, brightest, and most
popular spot for snagging stylish castoffs anywhere (there’s also a
smaller location on Fifth Avenue in Park Slope), Beacon’s color-coded
racks of women’s clothing (the men’s selection leaves much to be
desired in comparison) are constantly overflowing with a massive mix of cheap
rags, moderately priced designer treads, plus one-of-a-kind shoes, belts, and
purses. Don’t expect service-with-a-smile from the hipster staff, though,
and avoid coming on a weekend, when the crowds descend in droves and fitting
room lines can be monstrous. Regardless, you’re almost guaranteed to
leave with an armful of finds, though the hole in your wallet may end up being
bigger than you expected. The store gleans its wares from its popular buying
counter in exchange for cash or store credit, but sellers beware: the house is
super selective.

Bloomingdale's

The much beloved "Bloomie's,” a NYC mainstay, is an upscale
department store and Saks Fifth Avenue rival that garners good reviews from
native New Yorkers for its service and selection. There’s another,
smaller location downtown on Broadway in SoHo.

Century 21

New York's premier discount department store for everything from designer
clothes to luggage, lingerie, cosmetics, and some housewares, touts discounts
of up to 70 percent off. Located directly opposite the World Trade Center site.
Note: Weekends are especially mobbed.

FAO Schwarz

If you have little ones in tow, be sure to hit this elaborate flagship toy
store helmed by America’s oldest toy company (originally founded in
1862). A true fantasyland for any youngster, you and your little one can
channel Tom Hanks in the movie Big by trying your feet at
“Chopsticks” on the large floor piano upstairs. There’s even
an ice cream parlor inside!

767 Fifth Ave. & 58th St., NY, 212-644-9400, www.faoschwarz.com

Tags: family | shopping | moderate | things to do

Flight 001

Modeled after the interior of a 747 cabin and named for Pan Am’s
legendary flight around the world, this chic travel gear chain floats all kinds
of designer goodies, from essentials like sanitizer, toiletry bags, and laptop
cases, to stylishly printed suitcases, travel alarm clocks, useful guidebooks
for breaking pesky language barriers, and even personal meal kits.The flagship
can be found in Manhattan’s West Village.

132 Smith St., NY, 718-243-0001, www.flight001.com

Tags: shopping | moderate | editor pick | boutique

Les Toiles du Soleil

This French company has been manufacturing cheery striped linen and cotton
fabrics in the same way, on the same looms, in the same French town (Saint
Laurent de Cerdans) for 150 years. It's hard to resist the ready- or
custom-made umbrellas, pillows and espadrilles at Les Toiles du Soleil outposts
in Paris, Tokyo, and New York (opened 2008).

261 W. 19th St., NY, 212-229-4730, www.lestoilesdusoleilnyc.com

Tags: shopping | home | accessories

Macy's

Make your way to 34th Street for a visit to this legendary, 11-floor
mega-store, self-billed as the world's largest department store. Now a
mega-chain hocking mostly mid-range wares at over 800 locations nationwide, a
visit to the original is a must for any shopaholic to take in the annual spring
flower show, check out the ever-changing window displays, witness the nexus of
the famous Thanksgiving Day parade, or to simply see where it all began.

Personal Shopping

Rivaling Paris, Milan, and London as a high-end shopper's Shangri La, New
York's scene can be both exhilarating and overwhelming. After an hour-long
meeting to determine the your needs and budget, let a personal shopper help you
find a wardrobe that blends signature designer pieces with classic basics that
are picked to compliment your personality, lifestyle, and future goals.

New York City Image Consultant, 351 East 84th St. #11A, NY, 212-879-5790, www.newyorkimageconsultant.com

Tags: shopping | expensive | smart splurge | designer

The Brooklyn Superhero Supply Co.

Novelist extraordinaire Dave Eggers is the mastermind behind this secretive
costume shop that doubles as the headquarters for his successful nonprofit
writing program for kids, 826NYC. Hidden in lair-like style behind a bookshelf,
the organization offers free tutoring and workshops in all literary styles. The
whimsical wares here include an imaginative arsenal (think particle guns and
force fields) and must-haves for any aspiring Clark Kent, like “Muscles
in a Can” and invisibility paint. A flight simulator machine (i.e.
high-powered fan) is on hand for assessing the aerodynamics of your cape before
purchase (while posing like a superhero). The organization’s other
locations include San Francisco’s Pirate Store and the Echo Park Time
Travel Mart in Los Angeles.

372 Fifth Ave., NY, 718-499-9884, www.superherosupplies.com

Tags: family | shopping | moderate | accessories | unusual

Tokio 7

In-the-know fashion hawks browse this hip consignment shop in an East Village
basement space for hardly-used designer clothes. You can pick up gorgeous
outfits by big-name labels like Miyake and Yamamoto, as well as items by Prada,
Miu Miu, Diesel, and Gucci. Some of the pieces are practically unworn and cost
a wee fraction of the retail price. Other finds include shoes and cool
accessories like sunglasses, handbags, hats, ties, and scarves.